The Matrix Resurrections Was Almost An Entirely Different Movie

It's been well over a decade since audiences last took a trip into the simulation in "The Matrix Revolutions," but director Lilly Wachowski has returned with a brand new tale for Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) that changes reality once more. Reeves and Moss are joined in the red corner by a handful of new stars, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a completely new version of Morpheus, Jessica Henwick as the blue-haired gunslinger called Bugs, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Sati. But, in the blue corner, we have Neil Patrick Harris as Thomas Anderson's therapist and Jonathan Groff as Matt Hinges, a corporate figure who threatens Neo's life. Things are about to get curiouser and curiouser.

There are a few other returning characters, too, like Lambert Wilson's mustache-twirling villain the Merovingian, as well as Daniel Bernhardt's Agent Johnson. Jada Pinkett Smith is also stepping back into her role as Niobe, the former captain of the 'Lobos' ship — and Morpheus' ex-lover. Fans will no doubt have some questions about why Niobe is much older in "Resurrections" while Morpheus is looking considerably younger — thanks to Abdul-Mateen II's chiseled jaw.

Although the trailers for "The Matrix Resurrections" have teased Neo's reawakening to the circumstances of his reality and a new fight to free the humans, a nearly 20-year-old interview reveals that the Wachowskis originally envisioned the fourth "The Matrix" film as an entirely different movie.

A 2003 Entertainment Weekly interview with Clayton Watson, who plays the Kid in "The Matrix Revolutions," suggested that co-directors Lana and Lilly Wachowskis had other plans for a fourth film in the series. The Kid idolizes Neo in the third film, which pushes him to suit up in the Armored Personel Unit to defend Zion from the Machine invasion. It is also revealed in the 2003 anthology "The Animatrix" that the Kid can jump in and out of the Matrix independently (via "The Animatrix" Fandom). Clearly, the Wachowskis set the Kid up to be an important figure in the franchise.

At the time, Watson revealed the news about the sequel plans, saying, "I've been told not to say anything. At one point it was, 'Look, if there's a 4, 5, and 6, then it's you and Jada [Pinkett Smith].'" It's surprising that the directors wanted to put the spotlight on Niobe and the Kid together since the two characters don't spend much time together. However, after the Kid's fiery defense of Zion, it's easy to see why Niobe would ally with him once the dust had settled.

Watson also said he was keen to explore the character further, adding, "I'd say to the [Wachowkskis] 'Are we starting?' And they'd say, "Don't f*****g go there, Kid." The star was also skeptical of the fact that there would be a sequel to the trilogy, going on to comment, "At this stage, it's very doubtful that there'll be a continuation of the saga, but maybe in another five years or so."

Obviously, that isn't the case, as "The Matrix Resurrections" is coming soon to theaters and HBO Max — and Watson will reprise his role as the Kid. Who knows, if "Resurrections" is successful, maybe Lana Wachowski will bring him back into the fold for another sequel.